Methods for separating glass articles from strengthened glass substrate sheets

Abstract

Methods for separating glass articles from strengthened glass substrate sheets and strengthened glass substrate sheets are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes forming at least one groove on at least one surface of the glass substrate sheet and strengthening the glass substrate sheet by a strengthening process. The groove defines the glass article and partially extends through a thickness of the glass substrate sheet. The method further includes generating an initiation defect on the groove at an initiation location to cause a through crack to self-propagate through the glass substrate sheet along the groove, thereby separating the glass article from the glass substrate sheet. In another embodiment, a strengthened glass substrate sheet includes a strengthened glass having a glass article groove and an initiation groove on a surface, the glass article groove defining a glass article.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 418,074, filed on Nov. 30, 2010, the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field[0003]The present specification generally relates to separating strengthened glass substrate sheets and, more particularly, to forming at least one groove within a glass substrate sheet prior to a strengthening process in order to separate glass articles from strengthened glass substrate sheets by self-propagation of a through crack along the groove.[0004]2. Technical Background[0005]Thin glass articles have a variety of applications in consumer electronic devices. For example, such glass articles may be used as cover sheets and / or touch screens for LCD and LED displays incorporated in mobile telephones, GPS devices, display devices such as televisions and computer monitors, and vario...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

As the use of glass articles in various devices continues to expand, the geometric complexity of the glass articles also increases.

In this case, the newly formed edges have not been ion exchanged and are susceptible to damage from mechanical contact.

More specifically, separating the glass substrate after ion-exchange processing leaves the central tension layer exposed at the edges of the separated glass article, thereby leaving the edge susceptible to damage that may lead to catastrophic failure of the article.

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